I think you can get Bell's most places, they have a lot of good brews. I'll be making a pilgrimage to the Bell's Brewery soon (I'm about an hour and a half away). I'm a big fan of their Best Brown Ale, Porter, Pale Ale, and Double Cream Stout. A lot of people seem to like the Two-Hearted Ale, I haven't tried that one. Oberon is OK from them.

As for commercial beers, I still like most Leinenkugel even though the quality has dropped over the last few years it seems like. Their Red and HoneyWeiss are quite drinkable if not really exciting. I'd stay away from the Sunset Wheat.

I think you can get Bell's most places, they have a lot of good brews.

I think Bells might be in PA but it's not "officially" distributed in Maryland. Bell's actually has a rather small (13 states on the easy coast, I think) region.

I was extremely lucky to find a store in Virginia that keeps it in stock so I picked up a few 6ers.

Two-Hearted Ale is probably NOT what the OP wants, it's got a very strong floral aroma and decent hop bitterness where as he wants malty/sweet.

Quote:

Originally Posted by BraeHaus

Are there any recommendations on any local brews I should explore? I'm looking for a good malty beer with a tad sweeter taste than bitter...

I can't think of any local brews off the top of my head. In fact, my advice would perhaps be the opposite, given your tastes and criteria here. Try some imported brews. Even the "mild" American beers tend to be hoppier than their overseas counterparts.

Try Union Barrel works, Iron Hill, Selinsgrove Brewing, Allentown/Bethlehem Beerworks, etc. also... Although these places don't bottle so you need to make a trip to their pubs...

Can't gauge how wide your beer pallet is from the few beers you named - in fact all the Micros you mentioned (Shelter Pale, Amish 4-Grain, and Independence) were Pale Ales if I'm not mistaken... Most American Pale Ales are going to be somewhat more hoppy than sweet.

Do you like other styles? Porters? Stoudts? Ambers? Weizens? I'm guessing IPA's are out if Shelter Pale is too bitter for your liking...

There are plenty of GREAT local beers near you, just start trying them... Me naming my favs, might not work out for you. For example, I *love* the Appalachian Hoppy Trails IPA, but you probably would not...

I drank a 6er of Pabst Genuine Draft on Sunday while brewing up a batch of American Brown Ale. I ain't no beer snob. The Pabst just makes me appreciate what I have to look forward to when the ABA is done.
AP

Try Union Barrel works, Iron Hill, Selinsgrove Brewing, Allentown/Bethlehem Beerworks, etc. also... Although these places don't bottle so you need to make a trip to their pubs...

Can't gauge how wide your beer pallet is from the few beers you named - in fact all the Micros you mentioned (Shelter Pale, Amish 4-Grain, and Independence) were Pale Ales if I'm not mistaken... Most American Pale Ales are going to be somewhat more hoppy than sweet.

Do you like other styles? Porters? Stoudts? Ambers? Weizens? I'm guessing IPA's are out if Shelter Pale is too bitter for your liking...

There are plenty of GREAT local beers near you, just start trying them... Me naming my favs, might not work out for you. For example, I *love* the Appalachian Hoppy Trails IPA, but you probably would not...

Don't get me wrong, I don't mind the hoppiness of some beers, in fact I really love the Amish Ale and Independence Ale, the Shelter Ale was a tad more hoppy than I like, but it was very satisfying

I've just become fascinated with malty/sweet beers, but don't know where to begin.

I'll be swinging by the local "Brewers Outlet" to pick up a case of beer for the holidays since my beer won't be done in time and I really want to get a good malty beer to share for the holiday...

I was going to pick up a Variety Pack, but I decided to just get one good malty beer.

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